Adenomatoid hyperplasia in the palate: another sheep in wolf's clothing.

Adenomatoid hyperplasia is a rare idiopathic non-inflammatory, non-neoplastic and benign lesion of minor salivary glands, that typically presents with a tumour-like mass in the palate. A 77-year-old patient is described.

Chronic candidiasis, enamel hypoplasia, and pigmentary anomalies.

This report describes a young male patient who had enamel hypoplasia, persistent oral candidiasis, skin hyperpigmentation, and vitiligo, and was thus suspected of having candidiasis endocrinopathy syndrome. The clinical and laboratory investigations employed to confirm the diagnosis are detailed.

Viral infections in dentistry.

Viral diseases of relevance to dentistry have recently been reviewed with respect to human immunodeficiency virus disease, other immunocompromised persons, oral malignancies, infection control, and antiviral therapy. This review discusses the most recent advances in the understanding of aspects of human immunodeficiency virus relevant to dentistry and relevant aspects of the herpesviruses, human papillomaviruses, hepatitis viruses, and other viruses. Further detail is available in other recent reviews.

An update on recent advances in the understanding of non-neoplastic diseases of the salivary glands.

The recent advances in the understanding of the non-neoplastic disorders of salivary glands are summarised in this paper. The common infections are discussed and newer aspects of juvenile recurrent parotitis outlined. The benign lympho-epithelial lesion is reviewed in relation to Sjogren's syndrome and the salivary gland pathology seen in relation to infection with human immunodeficiency virus.

Linear IgA disease manifesting as recalcitrant desquamative gingivitis.

A case of desquamative gingivitis caused by adult linear IgA disease is presented. Management initially proved to be difficult, however, the introduction of sulfapyridine caused rapid resolution of the gingival problem. This is one of the first reports of desquamative gingivitis caused by linear IgA disease successfully treated with sulfapyridine.

Oncogenes, onco-suppressors, carcinogenesis and oral cancer.

The regulation of cell growth is fundamental to the maintenance of health: disturbed regulation can result in neoplasia. Genes in normal cells (protooncogenes) code for proteins involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation; abnormalities in these genes (oncogenes) or their expression are often involved in the development of cancer. This paper summarises the essentials of the complex cell growth regulatory mechanisms, their genetic control, and their disturbances in neoplasia, emphasising the role of cancer-promoting (oncogenes) and suppressing genes (onco-suppressors or anti-oncogenes), especially in relation to oral carcinoma, and discusses the possible role of viruses as one cause of neoplasia.

Compliance with infection control procedures in a dental hospital clinic.

Dental hospital staff and students were observed during clinical work for their compliance with infection control procedures, as recommended by the British Dental Association. A total of 183 contacts between health care worker and patient were scrutinised during December 1990. Nearly all health care workers (96%) wore gloves to carry out dental treatment, but in some cases gloves were neither changed nor hands washed between patients.

Oral infections in the immunocompromised patient.

The number of immunocompromised patients is increasing because of iatrogenic immunosuppression and HIV infection. Most have T lymphocyte defects and are prone to develop persistent and severe fungal and viral infections. Oral candidosis and peri-oral herpes simplex infections are particularly common.

Bond strengths of dentine bonding agents to dentine.

This study assessed comparatively the tensile bond strengths to dentine of four resin dentine bonding agents. Flat surfaces were produced in the occlusal dentine of human third molars, finished with 600-grit paper and prepared for bonding to Silux Plus composite with Gluma, Prisma Universal Bond 2, Scotchbond 2 and Tenure. After 24 hours in water and 250 thermal cycles, the specimens were loaded in tension to failure on an Instron machine.

Oral manifestation of Rett's syndrome.

Severe dental attrition has several causes but may be the result of bruxism in neurological or psychological disturbances. Rett's syndrome is an uncommon but increasingly recognised neurological disorder, characterised by acquired microcephaly, progressive dementia, bruxism, and loss of purposeful movements of the hands. A patient with Rett's syndrome who demonstrated masseteric hypertrophy, bruxism, and severe attrition is reported.

Management of oral health in persons with HIV infection.

Prevention and treatment of oral disease is required to maintain quality of life and to improve prognosis of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Management requires a team approach, and close collaboration with the appropriate responsible physicians and other health care workers is necessary. Oral infection is frequent and usually opportunistic, and management is based on certain principles.

Immunoglobulin G subclasses in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses were examined in 71 adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (MiRAS). Seven patients (10%) had altered IgG subclasses: six had marginally raised IgG1 levels and one had a low level of IgG3. It is concluded that abnormalities of IgG subclass levels do not underlie MiRAS.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: the efficacy of replacement therapy in patients with underlying hematinic deficiencies.

A group of thirty-four patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and single hematinic deficiencies were given replacement therapy after any reason for the deficiency had been sought and excluded. The response of the RAS was assessed in an open trial. The aphthae in 70% of patients subjectively improved with hematinic replacement therapy, a benefit exceeding the defined placebo response in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Griseofulvin in the treatment of oral lichen planus: adverse drug reactions, but little beneficial effect.

An open trial was conducted of systemic griseofulvin in the treatment of oral lichen planus. Eleven patients completed the trial. Symptomatic benefit was noted in 21% of the twenty-three patients starting the trial, but there was no clinical improvement, and about one half of the group starting the trial suffered adverse drug reactions.

Laser etching of teeth for orthodontic bracket placement: a preliminary clinical study.

Current interest in the use of layers in clinical dentistry has suggested that this technique may be applicable to enamel etching in orthodontics. A pulsed Nd:YAG laser was used to etch the enamel surfaces of teeth in vivo prior to the bonding of orthodontic brackets with composite resin. Overall laser bonding took considerably longer, was less reliable in terms of bond strength, and produced more discomfort than conventional acid etching.

Viruses in the aetiology of oral carcinoma? Examination of the evidence.

This paper examines the evidence for an aetiological role for viruses in the development of oral carcinoma. Several viruses have been sought in oral cancer and evidence found for some, particularly herpes simplex and human papillomavirus. However, the evidence also suggests that these viruses are ubiquitous agents and a number of criteria must be met before these potentially oncogenic agents can reliably be implicated in human carcinogenesis.

The bonding of an adhesive resin cement to single and combined adherends encountered in resin-bonded bridge work: an in vitro study.

Although resin-bonded bridges should ideally be bonded to enamel, abutment teeth may present with dentine or restorations at the bonding sites. This study assessed the influence of bonding to such adherends on bridge retention by using tensile bond strength measurements as the criteria for judgement. An adhesive resin cement (Panavia Ex) was bonded to single adherends of enamel, dentine, composite resin, glass ionomer or amalgam, and to combined adherends of enamel/dentine or enamel/restorative material.

Hepatitis B vaccination and infection control practices of Jordanian clinical dental students.

The knowledge of occupational hazards from blood-borne viruses, and practices related to cross-infection control were studied in Jordanian dental students. A survey in July 1990 showed that over 90% were aware of the existence of vaccines against hepatitis B virus and most appreciated the possible long-term hepatic sequelae of hepatitis B virus infection. Nearly 50% had already been immunized against hepatitis B and a further 4% intended to be vaccinated.

The effect of thermocycling on the hardness of soft lining materials.

This investigation studied the effect of thermocycling on the hardness of six commercially available soft lining materials. The apparatus used to measure hardness measured the difference between depth of penetration of an indentor into a specimen under a primary contacting load and a secondary penetrating load. Control specimens were stored in water at 20 +/- 2 degrees C and trial specimens were thermocycled between 18 +/- 1 degree C and 53 +/- 1 degree C for periods up to 28 days.

British oral and maxillofacial surgeons' views on the aetiology and management of acute pericoronitis.

Acute pericoronitis is a common oral infection characterised by a predominance of anaerobic micro-organisms such as peptococci, peptostreptococci, bacteroides and fusobacteria, and also spirochaetes. Penicillins such as amoxycillin, and metronidazole are effective antimicrobials in the treatment of acute pericoronitis. This study presents the views of a group of British Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons as to the causative microbial agents and the antimicrobial management of acute pericoronitis.